On May 23, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (425 to 1) to approve new legislation aimed at improving the ability of public health authorities in the United States to respond to future acts of bioterrorism, such as the intentional release of anthrax spores in the mail system last year. Named “The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act” (H.R. 3448), the bill outlines policy and provides additional resources to better prepare our country to respond quickly and effectively to a public health emergency.

Specifically, the bill authorizes over one billion dollars for state and local governments as well as other public and private health care facilities to improve their preparedness through increasing planning activities, enhancing laboratory capacity, and implementing training programs for personnel as well as developing new medications, treatments, and vaccines against agents of bioterrorism. It also allows for $300 million to be spent on upgrading facilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve their capabilities. Another one billion dollars is earmarked to expand the current stockpile of medicines and supplies, such as smallpox vaccines, that might be needed in a public health emergency. Finally, the bill calls for new registration requirements for possessors of dangerous pathogens and takes steps to protect the nation’s food, drug, and water supply.

Many are calling this legislation “critical” as the threat of another bioterrorist attack against the U.S. seems to grow, and the May 23rd vote demonstrates the strong support this bill has garnered. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law.